Attached is a pdf showing how I installed the BMW SSK in my 2008 335xi. What I found was there was no access from below to get to the linkage clip like there is on the 335i. and the components are also quite different.

Note that the attached pdf shows how I actually did the install, though I now think there is a much easier way that doesn't require getting under the car or removing the console. It all depends on if the location of the pivot ball on the stock shifter is different enough than the short shifter to keep you from getting to the clip.

Confirmed EASY Method (by xdrive)-

1) Remove the knob and boot.
2) Slide off the rubber boot from the shifter.
3) Use two flat screwdrivers and twist clockwise and release the plastic cup.
4) Lift the shifter up as far as it will go while still connected to the linkage. The short shifter sets up on the aluminum bracket. See below or picture 24 and 25 of the attached pdf file.
5) Remove the clip through the opening and then slide out the shifter linkage from the bushing.
6) Install the new shifter, I angled my toward the back of the car even though the 335i procedure says to do it the opposite. I felt this best matched the stock geometry.
7) Slip the linkage into the bushing and install the clip through the opening.
8) Press the plastic cup back into the aluminum bracket and pull up on the shifter to make sure it is locked in place.
9) Slide the rubber boot back on, using some silicone spray makes this easy.
10) Install the leather boot and knob.

If there is enough room to remove the clip like I was able to install the new one this should be the process. Can't imagine it would take more than 30 minutes to do this method. Let's just say it took me quite a bit longer than that to figure this out.

As far as the shifter and 'M' knob compared to stock, huge improvement. I highly recommend doing this upgrade.

let me say thank you sooo much for this xi bit I only read the 335i part and was freaking out under my car then came back in drank two beers and re read this part and after dropping the clip in to the black hole twice 50 minutes later I was banging some gears GJ

How are you guys getting this clip on... I tried with the needle nose and the clip keeps falling. I lost two clips on the heatshield and had to order more. Does the clip easily slip on for you guys or are you putting a lot of force to get them on? any tips?

You can order just the lever if you already have a knob. I had the M knob, so I just bought the lever. You may want to buy the shifter bush as well as a few circlips. I bought an extra circlip and ended up dropping the original and the extra one on the heat shield above the exhaust and had to order more . Just order extra circlips to be safe.

I did the install on my e92 328xi this weekend. I did it via this shorter method and did not need to get under the car nor did I need to remove the console. The hardest part was removing the black rubber boot and getting the c-clip back on.

One nifty trick that my friend thought of was to tie a thin piece of string to the c-clip. Some folks in previous posts have shared stories of dropping and losing c-clips, but with the string tied to it, you can easily pull it back out if you drop it. Once we got the c-clip back on, we just snipped the string that was tied to it.

I recently did the SSK. It takes about 15 minutes. It does improve the shifting, but it's not night and day by any means. Don't waste the money on the full kit, just get the shifter lever from Tisher for 65 bucks and re-use the stock boot. Be sure to get the lever for the 330. It does lower the knob by 1/4". Curve of the lever towards the back of the car when you attach it to the shift rod. If you have 2 small screwdrivers and a needle nose pliers, you will be fine. No going under the car, no need to even remove anything but the leather boot. (and of course the foam and rubber boot underneath it) If I had to do this again, it would probably take 5 minutes. Well worth the cost, easy, and recommended. With the CDV delete, the short shifter, and Dinan, this is truely an outstanding car to drive. I am very happy with gear changes and power.

Boy, with out some hard info, I don't know what you should do. I would say to go with the 330 lever, at least it would be shorter than the 328 one. I can measure my stock one I took off, if you want to compare that to yours, that would give you an idea if they are the same. We're only talking 65 bucks, and I'm sure you could sell the 330 lever if it didn't work.

Just did this on my 07 328XI. I used the 330 lever and bought some extra clips and a bushing.

Some hurdles I ran into.
1. Getting the rubber boot out. It goes in and under a quite a bit. But just keep clawing at it and it will eventually pop. Bottom first, then you can yank it off the lever after its out.

2. Getting the circlip off. I just used a small skinny flathead and knocked it off. Luckily, it went right on top of the tranny and I was able to pick it up with a magnetic screwdriver.

3. After sliding the new lever onto the shift rod, it was clear that getting the new circlip on was going to be tricky. The new clips are a little different then what was on the car already. The new ones I couldn't get a good grab with the needle nose pliers to put it on. I ended up reusing the old clip, lucky that it didn't go into the black hole, because the way it is shaped allowed it to be put straight up and down in the pliers to get it on the shift rod. I also used the advice of tying a long piece of dental floss around the clip incase I dropped it, I would be able to just pull it back up.

4. Reinstalling the new bushing. Just keep turning the bushing COUNTER clockwise until it stops. I thought I turned it enough, but it kept popping off. Just turn it until you can't any more and it should be locked in at that point.

I wouldn't call any of these major hurdles, but something for the people considering doing this to know. It is not a night and day difference, but it does make the shifter feel much better than stock. As noted by others, my shifter feels like the gates moved slightly to the right, but nothing that would stand out as abnormal. The shifter still is in the center when in neutral. Enjoy!

Alright so I just attempted to do this on my 2010 xi and I dropped the circlip down on the transfer case and it fell down and to the right. How the hell do I find this thing???????? I took the heat shield off from under the car and I can't find it. Please advise on what to do next. Thanks a lot for any help guys. I've ordered two more from tischer but I would love to get this thing out from inside my car as its not driveable right now.

Alright so I just attempted to do this on my 2010 xi and I dropped the circlip down on the transfer case and it fell down and to the right. How the hell do I find this thing???????? I took the heat shield off from under the car and I can't find it. Please advise on what to do next. Thanks a lot for any help guys. I've ordered two more from tischer but I would love to get this thing out from inside my car as its not driveable right now.

You probably won't find it. I got in the exact same situation when I was installing mine. I dropped 2-3 down there and I ripped apart the bottom of the car to find them and nothing was to be found. Not sure where these things are falling, One member gave a good tip, try tying some fishing line on the circlip so if it falls you can pull it out. When it is installed just cut the string and drive happily.